Food Stamp Applications Swell in Tight Economy

Vanishing jobs and rising food prices mean record numbers of Mississippian's are seeking ways to make ends meet at the grocery store. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

surveys show that spending on groceries has risen 12% from a year ago. That kind of inflation has taught Lashundia Smith how to break some old habits.

“Some name brands do taste better but I’ve come to realize lately that a lot of the off brands taste just as good.”

The Jackson home maker estimates that she saves hundreds of dollars a year by purchasing generic items. Smith and thousands of other Mississippians wouldn't be able to make it without the aid of food stamps. A program now known as "SNAP" the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. According to John Davis with the Mississippi Department of Human Services more than 40 thousand Mississippian's have enrolled in SNAP since last year.

“We are seeing individuals who are maybe unemployed or under employed, folks whose hours have been cut back to part time and they now could qualify based on income levels. So we are seeing that in our county offices, individuals that we have not seen in the past.”

Buying in bulk is another way to save money on the grocery bill if it's feasible. Sherry Rainey, is president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Jackson.

“If you buy three dozen eggs it’s only a bargain if you don’t end up throwing out a dozen because they’ve expired so families need to only purchase only those items that their family can use.”

The average Mississippian spent about $356 on groceries in January of this year, that's compared to $318 a year ago. For MPB news, I’m Lawayne Childrey.